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THE PILLAR A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE TRiO SSS COMMUNITY “Helping Students Realize Their Full Potential” December 2020 Student Spotlight— Valerye Godoy ISSUE The TRIO Student Support Services program would like Page Guide to highlight Valerye Godoy. Valerye is a Biology major who will be graduating spring 2021. She was asked about Page 1 her experience in college and stated that her experience has been unique looking back. She noted, “It has gone by • Student Spotlight really fast. I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. In Page 2 high school, I became a veterinary assistant and started working at a veterinary clinic full-time. This clinic was my • Spotlight Continued dream job, when I began working there I made a promise to myself that I would work there full-time the entire time I Page 3 was in college until I was accepted to veterinary school (so far I have kept this promise 5 years later). I knew that • Relaxation Techniques I needed to earn an undergraduate degree if I wanted to • Kudos become a Veterinarian, so I began my journey at the Community College of Denver back in 2015 and was Page 4 accepted to CU Denver in 2016. Being a first-generation college student and not having any friends at school, it • Goal Setting—New Year was difficult to navigate student loans, class schedules, and extracurricular activities. For the first two • Movie Review years, I really did not know what I was doing but I somehow managed to slowly get by. I also did not know Page 5 how to apply for loans or grants, so I paid for school out of pocket for a while (that was stressful). Once I started getting more comfortable with the college life, I joined the Pre-Veterinary Club of Denver and be- • Review—Continued gan networking and learning new things. I was still living with my parents and tried to live with them for as • Book Review long as I could so that I could pay for school and it worked out great. Classes were often difficult for me; I never had a niche for science, but I worked hard to try to get the grades I needed. Throughout college, I Page 6 had a few side jobs and personal life achievements and goals that helped me balance school and keep me motivated. I tried to do things that I enjoyed such as hiking, going to concerts and having fun (in mod- • 5-Mindful Tips—Holidays eration) so that I wouldn’t get burned out or feel like a robot and that really helped me become more well- • Important Dates rounded. I also spent a lot of time volunteering and traveling. I feel lucky that I got to experience all that I have during my journey and now that I am almost done, I want to help other first-generation students like Page 7 myself navigate college. Being bi-lingual, coming from a different culture, and trying to get yourself through school (often times alone) is courageous and I am proud to be a part of an organization filled with • Exam Study Tips students like myself who have the strength to persevere and pursue a degree at CU Denver – all TRIO students should be proud of themselves!” Page 8 Valerye has faced many challenges during college while trying to earn her degree. Having to work full- • DIY Project time, she often found herself struggling to perform well or do her best on exams. She stated, “I would • Graduation Celebration often stretch myself thin by not getting enough sleep, worrying about work instead of school, and focusing on things that really did not matter in the long run. I also ran into some self-doubt, financial problems, and Page 9 lack of motivation. Overall, it took a little longer than I expected, but I just kept going despite every single • Recipe road bump. Every part of earning my degree was difficult for me but my dream of becoming a veterinarian • Human Rights Day was stronger than the temporary setbacks I faced.” Her short-term goal is to raise her GPA and save more money to move to Mexico or Costa Rica during the spring semester for 5-months. Her long-term Page 10 goal is to move to Fort Collins to start professional school at CSU in fall 2021 in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. • Director’s Corner CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE... THE PILLAR Page 1 Student Spotlight—Continued When asked what her favorite memory she had in college was, she mentions tak- ing Physics I with professor Duane BirdBear! She said, “He really shifted my per- spective on upper level science courses and boosted my confidence in physics. He was also the best professor I have ever had, and he made class so much fun. I remember his speech on the first day of class and how he brightened up the room with his stories and humor. It was honestly like a magical movie scene; I am not even kidding. I was eager to attend his classes and I think anyone who has ever taken him, or Professor James McNeil can say the same. Thanks professors! There are many things that Valerye wished she was told when she started college. She noted, “Oh man, there are so many things I wish I knew and was told before starting college. One thing I wish someone told me was how important it is to make friends or at least try to socialize a little bit. I did not start to make friends until my senior year and up until then I was clueless on which professors to take or what to expect from classes. Since I started socializing a little more, my study habits have increased, I am more prepared for future classes and I get a lot of insight from different students which would have been so helpful in the beginning and probably would have saved me a lot of money and time.” TRIO has helped her in many ways. Since she started TRIO, she has felt more supported during her time at CU Denver and learning about how to manage her money using the “My Colorado Journey” website, which has helped her organize her finances a lot better. She said, “TRIO has also helped me gain grants and apply for scholarships, both of which I would have probably never done on my own. There was also a time when I was experiencing homelessness and TRiO provided me with resources and organizations to reach out to and shortly after, I was able to get my own apartment. I am so grateful to be a part of this program, they helped me not only get back on my feet again, but they gave me confidence to keep going! Special thank you to Daniela; I appreciate the kindness and com- passion you have given me. The advice I would give to other TRIO participants is to take advantage of all the resources TRIO has to offer. They do something unique and informative almost daily, and there is someone you can always reach out to for whatever you need. Do not hesitate to ask or reach out for any questions or advice. Also, make friends with other TRIO participants, it’s fun to do ac- tivities together even if it’s through zoom and you guys can help each other stay on track for whatever you need. TRIO Is a great pro- gram to find like-minded students and together you guys can help each other and feel supported.” Valerye was asked, if she won a million dollars, what is the first thing she would do?” She stated, “The first thing I would do with a mil- lion dollars is to pay my parent’s mortgage, send my mom to her dream retirement, and help my brother get back on his feet again. If I had any money left over, I would then pay some of my student loans.” Some of Valerye’s hobbies include creating 3D art, specifically ceramic art. She loves building things and creating art for others. She mentioned, “When I was 17, I bought a kiln and a wheel and would make art in my parent’s basement for years. If I had more time, I would do that daily. Though on an average day, I love to wander the city with my dogs, especially at night. We could walk or get lost for hours; it is a form of meditation for me. I also love to hike, read books, and take long drives.” Many students like Valerye have many goals that would like to be reached and I am sure that it happens one way or another. Life has many opportunities for us, and it is up to you whether to take them or not. Whether those opportunities are meant for us or not, Valerye gives us her favorite quote, “What is meant for you will reach you even if its be- neath two mountains, and what is not meant for you won’t reach you even if it’s between your two lips” by Etaf Rum. She loves this quote be- cause it not only applies to love, but it also applies to everything in life and she believe this to be true. She stated, “I always return to this quote when I need a reminder to relax and let things happen, the way they should. It also just feels good every time I read it haha.” The TRIO SSS Program wishes Valerye continued success in her career! THE PILLAR Page 2 Relaxation Techniques – For End of the Semester and Holiday Season Tests, family, isolation, money, etc., as we enter early December can bring challenges to our lives on multiple levels.

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